A separator guillotine

ABSTRACT

A separator guillotine for cutting the edges along one part of the length of a stationery set with the aid of two blades acting obliquely, the effective course of one with respect to the other being limited so that the set remains attached to the edge over a short distance after cutting.

O United States Patent 1 [111 3,726,164

Cocquebert 1 Apr. 10, 1973 [54] SEPARATOR GUILLOTENE [56] References Cited [76] Inventor: Andre Ernest Cocquebert, 14 UNITED STATES PATENTS Avenue de General Clavery, Paris, France 606,261 6/1898 Yates ..83/467 2,513,075 6/1950 Youngsirand... ..83/530 [221 June 16, 1970 2,238,857 4/1941 Ford ..83/467 [21 APPL Na: 4 2 3,520,220 7/l970 Acker ..83/529 388,872 9/1888 Holmes ..83/588 Primary ExaminerAndrew R. Juhasz [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Att0mey Bacon and Thomas June 20, 1969 France ..6920638 [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. ..83/l, 83/467, 88336568386, A Separator guillotine for cutting the edges along one 7 part of the length of a stationery set with the aid of 2 two blades acting obliquely, the effective course of I one with respect to the other being limited so that the set remains attached to the edge over a short distance after cutting.

2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 4 1 i l 8 6 5 14 9-1 13 S SEPARATOR GUlLLOTlNE The present invention has for an object a separator guillotine enabling, by a simple operation, the carbons to be separated from the other sheets of the sets of stationery which are used to an increasing extent in the field of multi-copying and book-keeping. The invention also relates to sets of sheets and carbons enabling the maximum use to be made of the separator guillotine. The tasks for which multi-copying is employed necessitate, in fact, the use of printed forms which are rationally planned and are designed so as to eliminate to a maximum extent the time lost in supplying a machine and also in the later operations of use.

For production, at the printers, the compilation of printed forms comprising a plurality of sheets is accomplished by putting them into continuous sets having carbon paper inserted therebetween. The different sheets of forms and sheets of carbon paper of one set are assembled and held together bygluing or gripping on either one or two side edges.

As regards the user, after these printed forms have been passed through tabulators, separation is obtained by removing the side edges, which were used to enable the assembly and the feeding of the printed forms to be made, and it is also necessary to remove the carbons. This task forms part of the operation of use after manufacture.

The arrangement at present used to perform this operation mechanically is made, in particular, from separators cutting the edges and separating the carbon paper from the printed forms. The sheets of the same set are fed into different receptacles or into one receptacle, sheet by sheet (in this latter case it is necessary to make as many passages as there are copies in the set). The wasted carbon paper is wound on axles or removed laterally. Certain separators may re-form the set without the carbons in order to re-establish it in its initial order by reversing the direction of operation when such a presentation is desired. It is then necessary to separate each sheet from the following one, usually with the aid of a slitter or a guillotine.

In place of separators, which are large and bulky equipment, use is often made of small ofilce guillotines, such as those described in Swiss Pat. No. 273,718 which describes guillotines which may be used to open letters and cut documents or envelopes over their whole length. The edges may be cut with such guillotines, and when they have completely fallen away, it is necessary to extract the sheets of carbon remaining between each sheet one by one.

Whilst, by using an apparatus which may have for example the appearance of a small table guillotine, the present invention allows the removal of the edges of the printed sheets and the simultaneous extraction of the carbon papers from a complete set, whilst leaving the different sheets in their initial order.

The main feature of this guillotine is that it only cuts the bound edge holding the carbons over the largest part of its length, while it leaves 1 or 2 centimeters not cut. In this part of the set of printed sheets, where the action of the blade has ceased, there is provided a very marked perforation which will therefore give way easily by pulling, thereby leaving in one hand the stub and the carbons which are thereby extracted simultaneously and easily. The other edge, where there are no carbons,

can also be cut by the same equipment so as to remove where necessary any strip having perforations for a mechanical feed of the Caroll type and the joints of glue which are found thereon.

Preferably it is advantageous if the lateral perforation is only partial (l or 2 centimeters) which allows the use of the marked perforations referred to above without risking the sheets giving way during feeding either at the time of assembly at the printers or in use during passage through a tabulator. The sheets of carbon paper do not have to be perforated. Moreover, and in addition to this particular assembly, the majority of the methods of assembly used for producing continuous sets justify the use of this separator guillotine, on condition that only the printed forms and not the carbons are perforated longitudinally.

This separator guillotine must satisfy the requirements of the users dealing with small and average series of printed forms; thus it must be possible to make it of small size; to allow changes to be made from one format of a printed form to another without stopping; to provide proper and easy manipulation, and require a minimum of maintenance.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of a guillotine and FIG. 2 is an vertical section taken on the line 22 of the guillotine shown in FIG. 1.

The apparatus comprises more particularly a stand or frame (1 having a longitudinal slot (2), into which a blade (3), may descend vertically. The ege (4), of this blade is able to come into contact with the edge (5), of a horizontal blade (6), fixed on the stand by an adequate means in a depression of the stand in such a manner that the upper surface is in the plane of the upper surface of the stand. The blade(3), is carried by a longitudinal channel-shaped beam (7), having two spaced apart vertical tubes (8), one end of each of which is passed over a respective column (8) fixed vertically on the stand (1), and upon which the tube slides with slight friction. Return springs 9 move the unit upwardly in order to return it to the raised position after the cutting action. Any adequate manual or mechanical device may be used to lower vertically the unit of the blade (3), and its support beam (7 the edge (4), gradually and progressively coming into contact with the edge (5), and cutting any stationery sets placed on the upper surface of the frame or stand (1), and the blade 6. The edge of the set which is to be cut comes to rest on the part of the stand (1), located on the other side of the longitudinal slot (2), from that adjacent the edge 5 of the blade 6. This part of the stand on the other side of the slot has a slight chamfer (14), to prevent it from coming into contact with the set at the time when it is being positioned. On this same side with respect to the longitudinal slot (2), and the blade (3), i.e., on the side having the chamfer (14), an upwardly extending combined abutment and stop (10), is provided fixed on the stand (1), which allows the positioning of the set in the horizontal direction to be limited when it is inserted below the blade (3) and moved into engagement with the vertical surface of the stop. This stop (10), parallel to the line of cut, may extend over the totality of the length of the blade i.e., it may have substantially the maximum length of the stationery sets which may penetrate between the two columns (8'). Alternatively it may be reduced to a much shorter length if the stand (1), is provided with a guide (11), against which one side of the set comes to rest, therefore orientating the edge to be cut at right angles with respect to this guide 11. The stop may also limit downwardly the movement of the beam (7), and the blade (3), the top surface of this stop abutting against the lower surface of the beam 7. This stop (10), has the effect of preventing the blade (3), from being lowered totally with respect to the stationary blade 6 and leaving uncut the part of the set situated adjacent the guide (11) and the respective column (8'), near where a guide (11), is provided.

This stop (10) may be replaced by two independent stops; one stop, intended for the edges, which may be fixed and attached to the stand (1), and one which may be movable and attached to the movable assembly 7'. In this latter case there is the advantage, when the assembly 7 is restored upwardly, that any obstruction provided by the stand situated on the other side of the blade (3), and the slot (2), from the plate supporting the set is removed and easy access is allowed thereto in the position where the cut edges, which in conventional guillotines are not always easily removed block this area of the plate. The stop limiting the descent of the movable unit 7 may also be fixed either to the stand (1), or to the beam (7).

A plate (13), may be attached to the stand (1), by any suitable means, this plate allowing a greater planar surface to be provided at the upper level of the stand (1), for positioning the stationery set to be cut. This plate may also comprise a guide (11), for positioning the sheets.

As regards the blade (6), it is preferably arranged to be sprung, both in its horizontal and in its vertical fixing to allow it easily to ensure the contact with the edge (4), during cutting. For this arrangement, as for that relating to the movement of the movable assembly 7', any known device can be used such as that described in the Swiss Pat. No. 273,718 already mentioned.

As regards the different stops (10 or equivalent) it is advantageous if the stop for limiting the descent of the movable assembly can be adjusted or made interchangeable in order that the guillotine may be used for purposes other than separation, more particularly for opening envelopes. The stop intended to regulate the positioning of the edges of the stationery sets behind the blades may be preferably adjustable in part horizontally by any system having screws or similar arrangements in order to be able to adjust this positioning as a function more particularly of the size of the edges or Carroll strips, or to reduce or decrease to a minimum the projection behind the blades when it is desired to open an envelope.

Iftherefore a stationery set is inserted under the conditions outlined above and if the sheets of paper are perforated, the interleaved sheets of carbon paper not being perforated, and if the set is cut with the guillotine according to the invention especially at the location of the perforations, the set will be cut over almost all of its length with the exception of the part located adjacent the guide (11), and the adjacent column (8), i.e., at the place where the blade (4), is the highest. In this manner when the set thus cut is withdrawn, by gently pulling on the corner not cut, the sheet of paper already perforated and now only adhering over a short length, will be easily detached whilst the non-perforated carbons will remain attached to the edge on which the pull is exerted.

The advantages of such a device and the simplicity of use which it represents with respect to the machines which are often complex and costly and which are used for this work is easily understood. A large number of variations can be conceived, more particularly by modifying existing guillotines and the mechanization of the operations can also be envisaged; these variations being obviously well within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention also covers the stationery sets intended to be used with the guillotine of the type described. In fact as has been described above at the place where the guillotine stops cutting, it is necessary for the carbons to remain held and for the sheets of paper to have an area of least resistance, for example with the aid of perforations, breaking or cutting seams.

Such sets correspond to the best application.

I claim:

1. A separator guillotine for use in partially cuttingoff the edge of a bound stationery set comprising: a stand having a fixed blade thereon; a movable blade adapted to reciprocate and cooperate with said fixed blade, said movablev blade having a cutting edge movable obliquely with respect to the cutting edge of the fixed blade and adapted to progressively engage said fixed blade from adjacent one end to adjacent the other end thereof during the partial cutting-off of the edge of a stationery set placed between the blades; means movably mounting said movable blade for reciprocating movement and for cooperation with said fixed blade; guide means on the stand for engaging and positioning one side of the stationery set to be partially cutoff; and stop means on the stand and extending above the surface thereof for engaging and positioning the bound edge of the stationery set with respect to the cutting blades of the guillotine and for stopping the movement and progressive engagement of the movable blade relative to the fixed blade at a predetermined position intermediate the ends of the fixed blade and after the sheets of the set have been only partially cutoff and for preventing the guillotine from cutting-off the edge over the entire length of the set whereby the edge of each sheet in the set remains attached over a short length.

2. A separator guillotine for use in partially cuttingoff the edge of a bound stationery set comprising: a stand having a fixed blade thereon; a movable blade adapted to reciprocate and cooperate with said fixed blade, said movable blade having a cutting edge movable obliquely with respect to the cutting edge of the fixed blade and adapted to progressively engage said fixed blade from adjacent one end to adjacent the other end thereof during the partial cutting-off of the edge of a stationery set placed between the blades; means movably mounting said movable blade for reciprocat ing movement and forcooperation with said fixed blade; guide means on the stand for engaging and positioning one side of the stationery set to be partially cutoff; abutment means on the stand extending above the surface thereof for engaging and positioning the bound edge at the stationery set with respect to the cutting blades of the guillotine and stop means on the stand engageable with means on the movable blade mounting means for stopping the movement and progressive engagement of the movable blade relative to the fixed blade at a predetermined position intermediate the ends of the fixed blade and after the sheets of the set have been only partially cut-off and for preventing the guillotine from cutting-off the edge over the entire length of the set whereby the edge of each sheet in the set remains attached over a short length.

1. A separator guillotine for use in partially cuttingoff the edge of a bound stationery set comprising: a stand having a fixed blade thereon; a movable blade adapted to reciprocate and cooperate with said fixed blade, said movable blade having a cutting edge movable obliquely with respect to the cutting edge of the fixed blade and adapted to progressively engage said fixed blade from adjacent one end to adjacent the other nnd thereof during the artial cutting-off of the edge of a stationery set placed between the blades; means mvvably mounting said movable blade for reciprocating movement and for cooperation with said fixed blade; guide means on the stand for engaging and positioning one side of the stationery set to be partially ut: off, and stop means on the standand extending above the surface thereof for engaging and positioning tee bound edge of the stationery set with respect to the cutting blades of the guillotine and for stopping the movement and progressive engagement of the movable blade relative to the fixed blade at predetermined position intermediate the ends of the fixed blade and after the sheets of the set have been only partially cut-off and for preventing the guillotine from cutting-off the edge over the entire length of the set whereby the edge of each sheet in the set remains attached over a short length.

2. A separator guillotine for use in partially cuttingoff the edge of a bound stationery set comprising: a stand having a fixed blade thereon; a movable blade adapted to reciprocate and cooperate with said fixed blade, said movabe blade having a cutting edge movable obliquely with respect to the cutting edge of the fixed blde and adapted to progressively engage said fixed blade from adjacent one end to adjacent the other end thereof during thepartial cutting-off of the edge of a stationery set placed between the blades; means movably mounting said movable blade for reciprocating movement and for cooperation with said fixed blade; guide means on the stand for engaging and positioning one side of the stationery set to be partially cutoff; autment means on the stand extending above the surface thereof for engaging and positioning the bound edge at the stationery set with respect to the cutting blades of the guillotine and stop means on the stand engageable with means on the movable blade mounting means for stopping the movement and progressive engagement of the movable blade relative to the fixed blade at a predetermined position intermediate the ends of the fixed blade and after the sheets of the set have been only partially cut-off and for preventing the guillotine from cutting-off the edge over the entire length of the set whereby the edge of each sheet in the set remains attached over a short length. 

1. A separator guillotine for use in partially cutting-off the edge of a bound stationery set comprising: a stand having a fixed blade thereon; a movable blade adapted to reciprocate and cooperate with said fixed blade, said movable blade having a cutting edge movable obliquely with respect to the cutting edge of the fixed blade and adapted to progressively engage said fixed blade from adjacent one end to adjacent the other end thereof during the partial cutting-off of the edge of a stationery set placed between the blades; means movably mounting said movable blade for reciprocating movement and for cooperation with said fixed blade; guide means on the stand for engaging and positioning one side of the stationery set to be partially cutoff; and stop means on the stand and extending above the surface thereof for engaging and positioning the bound edge of the stationery set with respect to the cutting blades of the guillotine and for stopping the movement and progressive engagement of the movable blade relative to the fixed blade at a predetermined position intermediate the ends of the fixed blade and after the sheets of the set have been only partially cut-off and for preventing the guillotine from cutting-off the edge over the entire length of the set whereby the edge of each sheet in the set remains attached over a short length.
 2. A separator guillotine for use in partially cutting-off the edge of a bound stationery set comprising: a stand having a fixed blade thereon; a movable blade adapted to reciprocate and cooperate with said fixed blade, said movabe blade having a cutting edge movable obliquely with respect to the cutting edge of the fixed blde and adapted to progressively engage said fixed blade from adjacent one end to adjacent the other end thereof during thepartial cutting-off of the edge of a stationery set placed between the blades; means movably mounting said movable blade for reciprocating movement and for cooperation with said fixed blade; guide means on the stand for engaging and positioning one side of the stationery set to be partially cut-off; autment means on the stand extending above the surface thereof for engaging and positioning the bound edge at the stationery set with respect to the cutting blades of the guillotine and stop means on the stand engageable with means on the movable blade mounting means for stopping the movement and progressive engagement of the movable blade relative to the fixed blade at a predetermined position intermediate the ends of the fixed blade and after the sheets of the set have been only partially cut-off and for preventing the guillotine from cutting-off the edge over the entire length of the set whereby the edge of each sheet in the set remains attached over a short length.
 2. A separator guillotine for use in partially cutting-off the edge of a bound stationery set comprising: a stand having a fixed blade thereon; a movable blade adapted to reciprocate and cooperate with said fixed blade, said movable blade having a cutting edge movable obliquely with respect to the cutting edge of the fixed blade and adapted to progressively engage said fixed blade from adjacent one end to adjacent the other end thereof during the partial cutting-off of the edge of a stationery set placed between the blades; means movably mounting said movable blade for reciprocating movement and forcooperation with said fixed blade; guide means on the stand for engaging and positioning one side of the stationery set to be partially cut-off; abutment means on the stand extending above the surface thereof for engaging and positioning the bound edge at the stationery set with respect to the cutting blades of the guillotine and stop means on the stand engageable with means on the movable blade mounting means for stopping the movement and progressive engagement of the movable blade relative to the fixed blade at a predetermined position intermediate the ends of the fixed blade and after the sheets of the set have been only partially cut-off and for preventing the guillotine from cutting-off the edge over the entire length of the set whereby the edge of each sheet in the set remains attached over a short length. 